The Sword of Light: Book One of the Veredor Chronicles (25 page)

‘
Hands behind your back!’ ordered Cassiel. Zarceler complied.
Cassiel went to tie his hands. Suddenly Zarceler turned and grabbed
Cassiel. He held a small knife up against Cassiel’s
throat.

‘
Drop your sword or Cassiel dies!’ hissed Zarceler.

Cassiel stood
completely still. He looked across at Eben and shook his head. Eben
stared into Zarceler’s mad eyes and could see he would surely kill
Cassiel.

‘
Drop it!’ screamed Zarceler wrathfully.

Eben
reluctantly dropped his sword. Zarceler grinned as he looked down
at the sword on the ground.

’
Now step back!’ cried Zarceler. Eben took several steps back
from the wizard. Zarceler threw Cassiel aside and then picked up
the sword. ‘Now the Sword of Light is mine!’ he said, cruel glee
filling his eyes.

A great
cluster of Ortarian troops were nearing them as the muckrons were
in full retreat and were rushing up and over the slopes of the
southern hill. Zarceler laughed like a madman and waved his hand; a
shockwave of glowing red energy struck Eben. Eben felt the heavy
impact as he flew back several feet and crashed into the ground. He
was dazed and shaken and looked up at Zarceler. The wizard slowly
walked toward him and was grinning evilly. He cast another red
burst of painful energy at Eben. Eben felt his body cramp and
shake. He could hardly take a breath. Cassiel began to get up.
Zarceler knocked him back down again with a spell and smirked.

‘
I knew it would come to this. Now you will both die for
causing this foolish revolt,’ said Zarceler. He lifted his hands
once again.

Eben caught
the rapid movement of something dark out of the corner of his eye.
A moment later Kiarn leapt from left field. The dark shape of the
wolf throttled the wizard. The Sword of Light fell from the
Zarceler’s hand as he cried out in horror. In an instant Kiarn’s
mighty jaws ended the life of the evil wizard. Zarceler’s body lay
still and lifeless. Kiarn’s golden eyes glanced across at Eben for
a moment. An instant later the wolf ran off after the retreating
muckron army.

Eben pulled
himself up off the ground. His body was aching all over. He walked
over to Cassiel and helped him to stand up. He then picked up the
Sword of Light, and together they looked southward at the fleeing
muckrons.

‘
It is done,’ said Cassiel.

Red and Stella
walked over and were completely exhausted. The four friends hugged
and embraced.

**

The army set
up camp beside the forest. Eben sat in a command tent with King
Ignis, Red, Stella, Cassiel, several knights, and field commanders.
King Ignis had his face bandaged. He looked very weary.

‘
I am sad to say that we lost many good men. Brave General
Hugo also died in the battle,’ said King Ignis. Eben felt the
sadness in the room at the news of the death of General Hugo ‘We
have completely destroyed the muckron army. The archers on the
southern hill stopped most of them from escaping; only a few
muckrons breached their lines. Two of the wyverns escaped, and
another was found dead on the battlefield. We have also captured
several Zyranians. General Hugo and all the men who died here today
will be remembered forever. We will ride to Ancora and free our
people from tyranny. Today we have brought light back to Ortaria.
We will take that light to every corner of our land.’

They all heard
the strength in his voice. There was a sense of hope growing in
their hearts.

CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN

They rode
eastward over the days that followed and arrived at the gates of
Ancora. The day was bright and sunny and spring flowers covered the
fields surrounding the city. The city gates were open and King
Ignis led the army through the western gate. Word had already
reached Ancora of the victory in the west over the muckrons,
Skatheans, and Zyranians.

The Imposter
had fled Ancora before the arrival of the army. The story of the
King’s imprisonment in the Dungeons of Zyran was known by all, and
the people were overjoyed at the homecoming of their true king. The
people shouted and cheered as King Ignis led the army through the
town toward the palace. A great crowd had gathered in the large
town square outside the palace; celebrations and cries of joy could
be heard in all directions. The shroud of gloom had completely left
the city and a sense of joy permeated Ancora.

Eben rode
Swiftwing along beside King Ignis. Red, Stella, and Cassiel
followed closely behind. The King led them through the crowd to the
steps of his palace. A group of Ortarian guardsmen were waiting at
the palace gate. They had been sent ahead to secure the city. King
Ignis dismounted as the crowds continued cheering. He walked up the
steps and turned to face the crowds of people and his army. The
multitude became silent and all looked to the King.

‘
Today we have brought justice and peace back to Ancora. No
longer will you live under an evil shadow. Today every Ortarian is
free. We will remember every man who died fighting for our freedom.
We will remember every sacrifice that was given. They fought for
the good of all Ortarians and all people everywhere. Together we
will rebuild Ortaria. Today peace has returned to our
land!’

With this the
people cheered. King Ignis bowed to his people before turning and
walking through his palace gate. Eben, Red, Stella, and Cassiel
followed the King into the palace.

**

‘
Sir Redding,’ said Red, a wide smile crossing his face. ‘Can
you believe it?’

Eben was happy
for his friend. They were sitting in a beautiful chamber in the
palace with large arched windows, marble floors, and a great oak
table. The large chamber was adorned with all manner of royal
luxury. There were paintings on the walls, crystal chandeliers, and
marble pillars that rose up to a white ceiling above. The room was
the royal guest chamber.

‘
And you, Eben; Champion of Ortaria,’ said Red. Eben nodded
and smiled across at Red. King Ignis had declared that Eben was the
Champion of Ortaria. King Ignis had also declared that he would
grant Eben any wish, if it was in his power to grant. Eben had told
him that he only really wanted to go west to find his parents, and
the King had said he would do whatever he could to help Eben
complete his quest.

Red looked
across at Stella with a smile. ‘I like the sound of Lady Stella.’
Stella smiled happily. ‘We have something to announce,’ added Red
cheerfully. Eben could easily guess what it was. ‘We’re going to
get married.’

**

Two weeks
later Eben stood beside Red in the great hall of the royal palace
of Ancora. Red shuffled nervously. He was clothed in fine linen and
had his hair combed back and his beard had been neatly styled. An
Ortarian guard of honour created two lines, and a crowd of notable
citizens of Ancora had gathered for the wedding. King Ignis sat on
his golden throne and watched the proceedings. Cassiel, Max, and
some of the other soldiers who they had come to know stood a little
way away. Eben could also see the old librarian in the audience. He
had a great big smile on his face.

Trumpets
sounded and a moment later Stella entered the great hall through
the massive entrance doorway. Sweet music filled the great hall.
She walked toward them across the marble floor in a long flowing
white dress. She looked ever so beautiful, and everyone in the hall
stared at her, amazed by her loveliness.

‘
She’s so incredible,’ whispered Red in awe of his bride. She
was being followed by two bridesmaids; both had been performers in
the circus. She slowly approached Red, looking into his eyes with
immense happiness.

King Ignis
stood up and stepped down toward them. He took from a small table
two candles and handed one to Red and the other to Stella. It was
the custom of marriage in Veredor that two candles should be lit
from a single flame and that both the bride and groom would then
declare their love and commitment to each other in their own words,
both swearing an oath to always be true.

A candle stood
on a stand and burned brightly. Stella took her candle and lit it
from the larger candle, and Red followed her example, and they
stood together holding their candles. It was also the custom in
Veredor that the man should declare his love first. Red looked to
Stella with great love and tenderness.

‘
Stella, from this day onward I will be your husband. I
promise to always be true to you, and I will always love you. I
will always stand by your side, defend your honour, and protect
you. You are and will forever be my one true love.’

Stella smiled
at Red lovingly. ‘Red, my love; I will be your wife. I will love
you truly and forever. I will honour you and be true to you always.
I will hold you in my heart and together we shall build our life
together.’

They embraced
and kissed and then turned to the people who all applauded and
cheered. King Ignis then walked over and stood beside them. ‘I
present to you, Sir Redding and Lady Stella, husband and wife,’ he
announced. All the people clapped and cheered again. Red and Stella
kissed again and held each other close in a joyful embrace.

**

For two weeks
the four friends had been staying in the palace. Eben was sitting
in the royal guest chamber reading a book about the history of
Ortaria and the other Eastern Lands of Veredor. Cassiel entered the
room and was holding a letter in his hand. He handed the letter to
Eben.

‘
This message came from Meara this morning.’

Dear Cassiel
and Eben,

I write to you
from Dravania. I have attended a meeting with the Irilian High
Council and told them of the troubles in Ortaria. I hope this
message reaches you in time. I write to inform you that a council
will be held in the Irvarian city of Faircastle on the first day of
summer. This council is being arranged by King Edric of Irvaria at
the request of the last remaining Fiorian Knights. They have
requested representatives from all of the magic orders, the major
orders of knights, and the southern monarchs of Veredor.

I will be
travelling to Irvaria to be the Irilian representative. I hope to
meet you there.

Your
friend,

Meara of the
Irilian Order.

‘
We must go,’ said Eben, feeling excited that the Fiorians
would be at the council.

‘
We will go together,’ said Cassiel. ‘We should leave soon
because summer is not far off.’

‘
We can head for the Iron Gate Pass and cross into Vastoria,’
suggested Eben.

‘
I will start to prepare for the journey today,’ said Cassiel.
Eben could feel they were on the verge of a new
adventure.

**

Later in the
day Eben was packing his backpack and making preparations to leave
Ancora. Red and Stella entered his chamber without knocking.

‘
There is no way you and Cassiel are going to Irvaria without
us,’ declared Red.

‘
Wouldn’t you rather stay in Ancora?’

‘
No way,’ said Stella firmly. ‘We’re going west with
you.’

Eben felt
happy that his friends were so keen to join him on the journey
west. ‘It will be a long and dangerous adventure.’

Red and Stella
both smiled.

TO BE
CONTINUED...

The Journey
West

Book Two of
the Veredor Chronicles

Available now! Visit
www.ejgilmour.com
for
more information.